In a dramatic escalation of its regional military operations, Israel has conducted its first direct naval strike on Yemen, targeting the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah.
The operation, carried out in the early hours of June 10, marks a significant shift in Israel’s strategy against the Iran-backed Houthi movement, which has repeatedly launched missiles and drones at Israeli territory since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), two long-range precision missiles were fired from Sa’ar 6-class missile boats stationed hundreds of kilometers away in the Red Sea.
The missiles struck key infrastructure at the Hodeidah port, which Israeli intelligence claims has been used by the Houthis to store and transfer weapons, including ballistic missiles and drone components.
The strike was described by Israeli officials as “unprecedented,” both in terms of distance and the use of naval assets rather than traditional airpower.
The IDF stated that the operation was a direct response to a series of recent Houthi missile launches, including one that was intercepted over Jerusalem just days earlier.
In the lead-up to the strike, Israel issued evacuation warnings for the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Isa, and Salif, urging civilians to leave the area due to the ports’ alleged use for “terrorist activities.”
While no casualties were reported, satellite imagery and eyewitness accounts confirmed significant damage to docking facilities and storage areas.
The Houthis acknowledged the strike but downplayed its impact, claiming it had no effect on their operational capabilities or morale.
Nevertheless, the attack has raised alarm among humanitarian organizations, as Hodeidah is a critical entry point for food and medical aid for millions of Yemenis.
This naval strike is the eleventh Israeli attack on Houthi targets since the start of the conflict, but the first to be executed by sea. Previous operations were conducted by the Israeli Air Force.
Military analysts suggest that the use of naval forces allows for more sustained and discreet operations, as missile boats can remain on station for extended periods and strike with little warning.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that continued Houthi aggression would trigger a broader naval and aerial blockade of Yemen’s ports. “We have warned the Houthi terror organization that if they continue to shoot at Israel, they will face a powerful response,” Katz said. “This is what we did today, and we will continue to do so in the future.”
The Houthis, who control much of northwestern Yemen, have framed their attacks on Israel and Red Sea shipping as acts of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
Since November 2023, they have launched over 400 ballistic missiles and drones at Israel, prompting a series of retaliatory strikes. Their actions have also disrupted global trade, forcing major shipping companies to reroute vessels around the Cape of Good Hope.
The Israeli strike comes amid a fragile ceasefire between the United States and the Houthis, brokered in early May. While the truce has reduced attacks on U.S. assets, it does not cover Israeli targets, leaving Jerusalem to act independently.
The move also signals Israel’s willingness to expand its military footprint beyond its immediate borders in response to regional threats.
As tensions continue to simmer, the international community is watching closely. The strike on Hodeidah could mark the beginning of a new phase in the conflict—one that sees Israel projecting power deeper into the Arabian Peninsula and potentially drawing in other regional actors.
The implications for humanitarian access, maritime security, and regional stability are profound and still unfolding.
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